Definition of Vane

1.n. A contrivance attached to some elevated object for the purpose of showing which way the wind blows; a weathercock. It is usually a plate or strip of metal, or slip of wood, often cut into some fanciful form, and placed upon a perpendicular axis around which it moves freely.

2.n. A contrivance attached to some elevated object for the purpose of showing which way the wind blows; a weathercock. It is usually a plate or strip of metal, or slip of wood, often cut into some fanciful form, and placed upon a perpendicular axis around which it moves freely.

Definition of Vane

1. Proper noun. (lang=es female given name), nickname of Vanessa. ¹

2. Noun. A weather vane. ¹

3. Noun. Any of several usually relatively thin, rigid, flat, or sometimes curved surfaces radially mounted along an axis, as a blade in a turbine or a sail on a windmill, that is turned by or used to turn a fluid. ¹

4. Noun. (ornithology) The flattened, web-like part of a feather, consisting of a series of barbs on either side of the shaft. ¹

5. Noun. A sight on a sextant or compass. ¹

6. Noun. One of the metal guidance or stabilizing fins attached to the tail of a bomb or other missile. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Vane

1. a device for showing the direction of the wind [n -S] : VANED [adj]

Medical Definition of Vane

1.
1. A contrivance attached to some elevated object for the purpose of showing which way the wind blows; a weathercock. It is usually a plate or strip of metal, or slip of wood, often cut into some fanciful form, and placed upon a perpendicular axis around which it moves freely. "Aye undiscreet, and changing as a vane." (Chaucer)
2. Any flat, extended surface attached to an axis and moved by the wind; as, the vane of a windmill; hence, a similar fixture of any form moved in or by water, air, or other fluid; as, the vane of a screw propeller, a fan blower, an anemometer, etc.
3. The rhachis and web of a feather taken together.
4. One of the sights of a compass, quadrant, etc. Vane of a leveling staff.
Same as Target.
Origin: OE. & E. Prov. E. Fane weathercock, banner, AS. Fana a banner, flag; akin to D. Vaan, G. Fahne, OHG. Fano cloth, gund fano flag, Icel. Fani, Sw. Fana, Dan. Fane, Goth. Fana cloth, L. Pannus, and perhaps to Gr. A web, a bobbin, spool. Cf. Fanon, Pane a compartment, panel.
Source: Websters Dictionary
(01 Mar 1998)

Vane Pictures

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